Height-adjustable table

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a height-adjustable table is described. The apparatus can include a frame for supporting a work surface; a pair of lower legs supporting the frame; a pulley mechanism coupling the frame and the pair of lower legs for vertically moving the frame relative to the pair of lower legs; and a spring located within a passage extending through the frame. The spring may have a fixed end secured to the frame and a movable end movable relative to the frame over a first distance for exerting a force over the first distance. The apparatus can have a block-and-tackle assembly located within the passage. The block-and-tackle assembly can couple the movable end of the spring to the pulley mechanism. The block-and-tackle assembly can transfer the force exerted by the spring over the first distance to vertical movement of the frame relative to the pair of lower legs over a second distance, where the second distance is greater than the first distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/990,307, entitled “HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE TABLE”, filed May 8, 2014. Theentire contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/990,307 arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The various embodiments described herein generally relate toheight-adjustable tables and related apparatuses, and in particular totables having a work surface that can be adjusted to varying heights andthat use a variable-load counter-balance mechanism to assist inadjusting the height of the work surface.

BACKGROUND

A mechanical height-adjustable table employs a non-electricalcounter-balance mechanism to assist in raising and lowering a worksurface of the table. The lifting power to raise the work surfacetypically comes from a mechanical spring. The spring load can beadjusted to balance the load exerted by the work surface (includingitems resting on the work surface) in order to reduce or eliminate theapplication of force by the user to raise the work surface (i.e. makingthe work surface feel weightless).

Existing height-adjustable tables often utilize a fixed cross-beam orpanel that extends between the table's lower legs to house components ofthe counter-balance mechanism. An example of such a table is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,739. Further, existing designs often utilizevariable radius force-exchange wheels, such as snail cams, to adjust theload curve of the spring.

SUMMARY

In a broad aspect, at least one embodiment described herein provides aheight-adjustable table. The height-adjustable table can include a worksurface and a vertically movable frame adapted to support the worksurface. The frame can include a cross-member, a first upper leg, and asecond upper leg. The upper legs can be connected to the cross-member,spaced apart, and extend downwardly from the cross-member. The frame candefine a passage extending through the first upper leg, the crossmember, and the second upper leg.

The table can further include a first lower leg and a second lower legThe first upper leg can telescope within the first lower leg, and thesecond upper leg can telescope within the second lower leg.

The table can further include a pulley mechanism. The pulley mechanismcan include a first plurality of pulleys located in the passage, a firsttension line, and a second tension line. The first and second tensionlines can pass through the first plurality of pulleys. The first linecan be adapted for vertically moving the first upper leg within thefirst lower leg and the second line can be adapted for vertically movingthe second upper leg within the second lower leg.

The table can further include a spring located in the passage. Thespring can have a fixed end connected to the frame and a movable endadapted to move a first distance relative to the fixed end. The springcan be adapted to exert an upward force on the frame over the firstdistance.

The table can further include a block-and-tackle assembly located in thepassage. The block-and-tackle assembly can include a fixed block havinga second plurality of pulleys and being connected to the frame; amovable block having a third plurality of pulleys and being connected tothe movable end of the spring such that a displacement of the movableend of the spring relative to its fixed end results in a displacement ofthe movable block relative to the fixed block and a third tension linethreaded between the second and third plurality of pulleys and securedat one end to one of the fixed block and the movable block and atanother end to one of the first line and the second line. Theblock-and-tackle assembly can be adapted to cooperate with the pulleymechanism to transfer the upward force exerted by the spring, over thefirst distance to the frame, wherein the force exerted by the springover the first distance contributes to upward vertical movement of theframe over a second distance. The second distance can be greater thanthe first distance.

In some embodiments, the first line can be secured at one end to a topof the first lower leg, extend around a bottom of the first upper leginto and through the passage, and secured at the other end to the secondlower leg. The second line can be secured at one end to a top of thesecond lower leg, extend around a bottom of the second upper leg intoand through the passage, and secured at the other end to the first lowerleg.

In some embodiments, the first line can include a first portion coupledto a second portion through a coupling member. The first portion canextend from the one end of the first line secured to the top of thefirst lower leg to the coupling member and the second portion can extendfrom the coupling member to the other end of the first line secured tothe second lower leg. The third line can be secured to the first linethrough the coupling member.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the first line can be a belt,the second portion of the first line can be a cable, the second line canbe a belt, and the third line can be a cable.

In some embodiments, the third line can be threaded between each pulleyof the second and third plurality of pulleys such that a displacement ofthe movable block by a distance D relative to the fixed block results inthe other end of the third line being displaced by a distance of atleast M×D relative to the frame, where M can be the mechanical advantageprovided by the block-and-tackle assembly.

In some embodiments, the second plurality of pulleys can include 5pulleys, the third plurality of pulleys can include 5 pulleys, and themechanical advantage can be at least 10.

In some embodiments, the fixed end of the spring, can be connected tothe frame through a load adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust theforce exerted by the spring over the first distance by displacing thefixed end of the spring relative to its movable end.

In some embodiments, the load adjustment mechanism can include a leadscrew rotatably coupled at one end to the fixed end of the spring and atthe other end to a bevel gear system connected to the frame. The loadadjustment mechanism can be adapted to rotate the lead screw to displacethe fixed end of the spring relative to its movable end along the lengthof the lead screw in response to a rotation of a bevel gear of the bevelgear system.

In some examples, the table can further comprise a locking mechanismlocated in the passage and connected to the frame. The locking mechanismcan be adapted to prevent the upward vertical movement of the frame bysecurely clamping at least one of the first line and the second line.

In some examples, the locking mechanism can comprise an actuator adaptedto unclamp the at least one of the first line and the second line whenthe actuator is moved into an unlocked position and the upward forceexerted by the spring on the frame is substantially equal to a downwardforce exerted by the frame and the work surface.

In another broad aspect, at least one embodiment described hereinprovides an apparatus for a height-adjustable table. The apparatus caninclude a frame for supporting a work surface, wherein the frame definesa passage therein; a pair of spaced apart lower legs supporting theframe; a pulley mechanism coupling the frame and the pair of lower legsfor vertically moving the frame relative to the pair of lower legs; anda spring located within the passage. The spring can have a fixed endsecured to the frame and a movable end movable relative to the frameover a first distance for exerting a force over the first distance. Theapparatus can further include a block-and-tackle assembly located withinthe passage. The block-and-tackle assembly can couple the movable end ofthe spring to the pulley mechanism. The block-and-tackle assembly can beadapted to transfer the force exerted by the spring over the firstdistance to vertical movement of the frame relative to the pair of lowerlegs over a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater thanthe first distance.

In some embodiments, the pulley mechanism can include a plurality ofpulleys located within the passage and a plurality of tension linespassing through the pulleys and coupling the frame and the lower legsfor vertically moving the frame relative to the lower legs.

In some embodiments, the frame can include a cross-member and a pair ofupper legs extending downwardly from the cross-member into the pair oflower legs, wherein the passage extends through the cross-member and thepair of upper legs.

In some embodiments, the block-and-tackle can be located within aportion of the passage in the cross-member.

In some embodiments, the second distance can be at least 10 times thefirst distance.

In some embodiments, the fixed end of the spring can be secured to theframe through a load adjustment mechanism for adjusting the forceexerted by the spring over the first distance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein,and to show more clearly how these various embodiments may be carriedinto effect, reference will be made, by way of example, to theaccompanying drawings which show at least one example embodiment, andwhich are now briefly described.

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of an example height-adjustable table ina lowered configuration.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 a in a raisedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example leg sleeve of the table ofFIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of example components of the table of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 4 a is a top view of an example load adjustment mechanism and anexample spring assembly (with a spring) of the table of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 4 b is a top view of the load adjustment mechanism and the springassembly (without a spring) of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 c is a perspective view of the load adjustment mechanism and thespring assembly of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example block-and-tackle assembly ofthe table of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 6 a is an example simplified schematic diagram of the table of FIG.1 a in a lowered configuration.

FIG. 6 b is an example simplified schematic diagram of the table of FIG.1 a in a raised configuration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view from the front of the table ofFIG. 1 a.

FIG. 8 is a top sectional view of the table of FIG. 1 a with the worksurface removed).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of example components of the table of FIG.1 a.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the components of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example locking mechanism of thetable of FIG. 1 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as notto obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, thisdescription is not to be considered as limiting the scope of theembodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describingthe implementation of the various embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show a height-adjustable table 100 in a lowered andraised configuration, respectively, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In the example illustrated, height-adjustable table100 includes a work surface 101 supported on a vertically movable,hollow frame 102, and a pair of lower legs 106 a, 106 b supporting frame102. Frame 102 includes a cross-beam 103 (also referred to as across-member), upper legs 104 a, 104 b, and work-surface support members108 a, 108 b. Upper legs 104 a, 104 b are hollow and define interiorspaces 140 a, 140 b (shown in FIG. 7). Upper legs 104 a, 104 b are fixedat their upper ends to opposing ends of cross-beam 103 and extenddownwardly through upper-leg sleeves 105 a 105 b into lower legs 106 a,106 b, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the example illustrated, each of upper-legsleeves 105 a, 105 b is connected at a bottom end to a roller sleeve 110through which upper legs 104 a, 104 b also extend. Roller sleeve 110includes a plurality of rotatable rollers 112 that extend through rollersleeve 110 to simultaneously contact the outer surface of upper legs 104a, 104 b and the inner surface of lower legs 106 a, 106 b, therebyallowing upper legs 104 a, 104 b to smoothly telescope within lower legs106 a, 106 b. It will be appreciated that upper-leg sleeves 105 a, 105 bare included for aesthetic purposes, and may be omitted withoutaffecting the ability of upper legs 104 a, 104 b to telescope withinlower legs 106 a, 106 b using roller sleeves 110.

Referring back to FIG. 1 b, in the example illustrated, support members108 a, 108 b are secured to an upper portion of upper legs 104 a, 104 b,respectively, and are used to secure work surface 101 to frame 102.

In the example illustrated, height-adjustable table 100 further includesa release mechanism 120. Release mechanism 120 is secured to theunderside of work surface 101, and can allow a user to release aninternal locking mechanism 700 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 7-11) when the userwishes to vertically move (i.e., raise or lower) frame 102. Theoperation of release mechanism 120 and locking mechanism 700 will bedescribed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the example illustrated, cross-beam 103preferably has a generally horizontal base 114 (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8)and two side walls 115 a, 115 b extending substantially perpendicular tobase 114. When connected, base 114 and side walls 115 a, 115 b form aninterior space 116. Interior space 116 of cross-beam 103 and interiorspaces 140 a, 140 b of upper legs 104 a, 104 b define a passage runningthrough the interior of left upper leg 104 a, cross-beam 103, and rightupper leg 104 b.

A counter-balance mechanism 150 is located within the interior space 116and a pulley mechanism 200 (shown in FIGS. 6 to 10) is located withinthe passage. Pulley mechanism 200 cooperates with counter-balancemechanism 150 to assist in moving frame 102 relative to lower legs 106a, 106 b. Counter-balance mechanism 150 includes a load adjustmentmechanism 400, a spring assembly 500, and a block-and-tackle mechanism600. The spring assembly 500 extends between load adjustment mechanism400 and block-and-tackle assembly 600. When work surface 101 and frame102 are assembled, counter-balance mechanism 150 is hidden in theinterior of cross-beam 103. It will be appreciated that cross-beam 103can optionally include a top cover 118 (shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) tohide counter-balance mechanism 150 when work surface 101 is removed.

As shown in. FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, in the example illustrated, loadadjustment mechanism 400 includes a generally U-shaped bracket 402having a side portion 404 and two spaced apart flanges 405, 406extending from opposing ends of side portion 404. The bottom of eachflange 405, 406 includes notch 407 (shown in FIG. 4 c) which is used tosecure bracket 402 to cross-beam 103 by being inserted intocorresponding holes (not shown) located in base 114 of cross-beam 103.

Bracket 402 houses bevel gear mechanism 410. Bevel gear mechanism 410includes driving gear 412 which is meshed at a 90° angle with drivengear 414. Driving gear 412 is connected to rotatable shaft 413 that issupported by and extends between flanges 405, 406. One end of shaft 413is rotatably inserted into a hole in flange 405. The other end of shaft413 is fixed to rotatable crank coupler 416, which extends through, andprotrudes from the outer surface of, flange 406. The protruding portionof crank coupler 416 is used to further secure bracket 402 to cross-beam103 by extending through hole 130 (shown in FIG. 3) of cross-beam 103,and receives an engagement end of crank 418. When the engagement end ofcrank 418 is inserted into crank coupler 416, a rotation of crank 418results in a rotation of driving gear 412, which in turn engages androtates driven gear 414.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, in the example illustrated,driven gear 414 is fixed to one end of rotatable lead-screw coupler 417,which extends through side portion 404 of bracket 402. The other end oflead-screw coupler 417 is fixed to one end of lead screw 408. Lead screw408 extends toward spring assembly 500 and is threaded through slidingmember 420. Sliding member 420 includes a base 422 which slides alongthe longitudinal axis of cross-beam 103. Driven gear 414, lead screw408, and sliding member 420 are configured such that a rotation ofdriven gear 414 rotates lead screw 408, resulting in sliding member 420moving along the length of lead screw 408.

Sliding member 420 is coupled to one end of spring assembly 500. Springassembly 500 preferably includes a helical tension spring 502 extendingbetween grooved plugs 512, 522. Grooved plug 512 is secured at one endto sliding member 420, and extends into the core of spring 502 at fixedend 510. As best shown in FIG. 4 b, grooved plug 512 has helical groovesadapted to grip the coils of spring 502 to secure fixed end 510 ofspring 502 to sliding member 420. Spring 502 extends along thelongitudinal axis of cross-beam 103 and is secured at its movable end520 to one end of grooved plug 522, which also has helical groovesadapted to grip the coils of spring 502.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the example illustrated, the other end of groovedplug 522 is fixed to block-and-tackle assembly 600. Block-and-tackleassembly 600 includes fixed block 610, movable block 620, and tensionline 630. Movable block 620 includes bracket 622 and a set of pulleys626. Bracket 622 includes a side portion 623 to which grooved plug 522is fixed, and two spaced apart flanges 624 a, 624 b extending away fromopposing ends of side portion 623. Pulleys 626 are rotatably mounted ona shaft 628 extending between flanges 624 a, 624 b of bracket 622.

Fixed block 610 includes bracket 612 and a set of pulleys 616. Bracket612 includes a base portion 613 that is fixed to base 114 of cross-beam103, and two flanges 614 a, 614 b extending upwards away from opposingends of base portion 613. Pulleys 616 are rotatably mounted on a shaft618 extending between flanges 614 a, 614 b of bracket 612.

In the example illustrated, line 630 is secured at one end to bracket612 of fixed block 610. Alternatively, the one end of line 630 can besecured to bracket 622 of movable block 620. Line 630 is threadedbetween each pulley of pulleys 616 and 626 and extends into the portionof the passage defined by left upper leg 104 a, to be coupled to pulleymechanism 200.

Referring to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b (which illustrate a simplified schematicof height-adjustable table 100) and FIGS. 7 to 10, pulley mechanism 200includes a number of pulleys and tension lines which transfer the loadfrom counter-balance mechanism 150 to frame 102, and synchronize thelifting of upper legs 104 a, 104 b.

In the example illustrated, pulley mechanism 200 includes a tension line310 passing through pulleys 202 a, 210 a, and 210 b and adapted to liftleft upper leg 104 a, and a tension line 320 passing through pulleys 202b, 220 b, and 220 a and adapted to synchronize the lifting of rightupper leg 104 b with the lifting of left upper leg 104 a. Pulleys 202 a,202 b are secured to frame 102 in the lower portion of the passagedefined by upper legs 104 a, 104 b, respectively. Pulleys 210 a and 220a are secured to frame 102 in the upper portion of the passage definedby left upper leg 104 a, and pulleys 210 b and 220 b are secured toframe 102 in the upper portion of the passage defined by right upper leg104 b.

In the example illustrated, line 320 is secured at one end to the top ofright lower leg 106 b and extends vertically to pulley 202 b between theinner surface of right lower leg 106 b and the outer surface of rightupper leg 104 b. Line 320 is deflected by pulley 202 b around the bottomof right upper leg 104 b, extends vertically to pulley 220 b through theportion of the passage defined by right upper leg 104 b, is deflected bypulley 220 b, extends horizontally to pulley 220 a through the portionof the passage defined by cross-beam 103, is deflected by pulley 220 a,and extends vertically through the portion of the passage defined byleft upper leg 104 a. The other end of line 320 is secured to the baseof left lower leg 106 a.

Similarly, in the example illustrated, line 310 is secured at one end tothe top of left lower leg 106 a and extends vertically to pulley 202 abetween the inner surface of left lower leg 106 a and the outer surfaceof left upper leg 104 a. Line 310 is deflected by pulley 202 a aroundthe bottom of left upper leg 104 a, extends vertically to pulley 210 athrough the portion of the passage defined by left upper leg 104 a, isdeflected by pulley 210 a, extends horizontally to pulley 210 b throughthe portion of the passage defined by cross-beam 103, is deflected bypulley 210 b, and extends vertically through the portion of the passagedefined by right upper leg 104 b. The other end of line 310 is securedto the base of right lower leg 106 b.

Line 310 preferably consists of a first portion 312 and a second portion316 connected through a coupling member 314 disposed within the portionof the passage defined by left upper leg 104 a. First portion 312extends between the one end of line 310 secured to the top of left lowerleg 106 a and coupling member 314, and second portion 316 extendsbetween coupling member 314 and the end of line 310 secured to the baseof right lower leg 106 b.

Pulley mechanism 200 further includes pulley 230, which is secured toframe 102 in the upper portion of the passage defined by left upper leg104 a. Line 630 extends from block-and-tackle assembly 600 to pulley230, is deflected by pulley 230, and extends vertically to couplingmember 314 through the passage defined by left upper leg 104 a. Line 630is coupled at its other end to line 310 through coupling member 314, totransfer loads exerted by spring assembly 500 to pulley mechanism 200.

It will be appreciated that lines 310, 320, and 630 can be any elongatedflexible members capable of conveying force through tension. Forexample, lines 310, 320, 630 can be belts, cables, ropes, wires, chains,etc. In the example illustrated, first portion 312 of line 310 is asteel belt, second portion 316 of line 310 is a cable, line 320 is asteel belt, and line 630 is a cable.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the example illustrated, height-adjustabletable 100 includes a locking mechanism 700. Locking mechanism 700includes a clamping mechanism 710, a deflection frame 720, and amechanical actuator 730. Deflection frame 720 is connected to clampingmechanism 710 and houses two rollers 722. Rollers 722 deflect line 320into a passage running between opposed clamping members 712 of clampingmechanism 710.

In the example illustrated, clamping mechanism 710 is secured to base114 of cross-beam 103, and can be biased in a locked position in whichclamping members 712 securely clamp line 320 to prevent line 320 frommoving relative to frame 102. As a result of the configuration of pulleymechanism 200, securely clamping line 320 prevents frame 102 fromvertically moving relative to lower legs 106 a, 106 b. In someembodiments, locking mechanism 700 may be replaced or supplemented witha similar locking mechanism configured to clamp line 310 in place of orin addition to line 320 to prevent frame 102 from vertically movingrelative to lower legs 106 a, 106 b.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in the example illustrated, locking mechanism700 is coupled to release mechanism 120. The release mechanism 120includes a paddle 122, a mounting portion 124, and an actuator cable126. Mounting portion 124 is used to mount release mechanism 120 to theunderside of work surface 101 (as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b). An edgeof paddle 122 is connected through a spring-biased hinge to mountingportion 124, to allow paddle 122 to pivot about the connected edge whenpressed upward toward mounting portion 124, and to return to adownwardly biased position when released. One end of cable 126 iscoupled to mounting portion 124, while the other end extends throughhole 132 into the portion of the passage defined by cross-beam 103, isdeflected downwards, and is coupled to mechanical actuator 730 (shown inFIG. 11) of locking mechanism 700.

Cable 126 is retractable into mounting portion 124 in response to a useroperating paddle 122 by pressing it toward mounting portion 124.Referring to FIG. 11, when retracted, cable 126 pulls upward onmechanical actuator 730. When pulled upward, mechanical actuator 730 canmanipulate clamping mechanism 710 to bring clamping members 712 into anunlocked configuration, in which line 320 is free to slide betweenclamping members 712.

When released, paddle 122 returns to its original position, resulting incable 126 extending back out from mounting portion 124. In response,mechanical actuator 730 returns to its original downwardly biasedposition, resulting in clamping members 712 returning to the lockedconfiguration in which line 320 is securely clamped.

The operation of an embodiment of height-adjustable table 100 will nowbe described. Referring back to FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, in the exampleillustrated, a user can insert crank 418 into, and rotate, crank coupler416. A rotation of crank coupler 416 results in a rotation of drivinggear 412, which in turn rotates driven gear 414 and lead screw 408. Arotation of lead screw 408 results in sliding member 420, and in turnfixed end 510 of spring 502, being displaced relative to movable end 520of spring 502 along the length of lead screw 408. Accordingly, byrotating crank coupler 416 using crank 418, a user can increase ordecrease the length of spring 502, and in turn, adjust the load thatspring 502 exerts on block-and-tackle assembly 600.

In one aspect, height-adjustable table 100 may include a load indicatorassembly 430. Load indicator assembly 430 indicates the displacement ofmovable end 520 of spring 502 relative to its fixed end 510, therebygiving an indication of the load being applied to spring 502.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 c, in the example illustrated, load indicatorassembly 430 may include a load viewing plate 432 and a load indicatorplate 434 having a load indicator stripe 436. Load indicator plate 434is disposed within the interior space 116 against side wall 115 a ofcross-beam 103, is fixed at one end to sliding member 420, and extendsalong the length of spring 502. Stripe 436 slopes upwardly from the endof load indicator plate 434 fixed to sliding member 420 to the opposingend of load indicator plate 434. Load viewing plate 432 is disposed inslot 134 (shown in FIG. 3) of side wall 115 a of cross-beam 103. Loadviewing plate 432 includes a vertical aperture through which stripe 436can be viewed.

In operation, load indicator plate 434 moves with sliding member 420 asa user adjusts the length of spring 502 using crank 418. Accordingly, asthe length of spring 502 is increased, load indicator plate 434 isdisplaced relative to the aperture of load viewing plate 432. As loadindicator plate 434 is displaced, a user will see stripe 436 risingrelative to the aperture of load viewing plate 432, thereby indicatingto the user the relative load being applied to spring 502.

Referring to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, in the example illustrated, the loadexerted by spring 502 is transferred through block-and-tackle assembly600 to pulley mechanism 200, to assist in vertically moving frame 102relative to lower legs 106 a, 106 b. Block-and-tackle assembly 600operates to smooth the load curve of spring 502. In this way, a smalldisplacement of movable end 520 of spring 502 relative to its fixed end510 can result in a relatively large vertical displacement of frame 102.

Specifically, when loaded, spring 502 cooperates with block-and-tackleassembly 600 and pulley mechanism 200 to exert an upward force over adistance D on frame 102. Block-and-tackle assembly 600 operates toreduce the force exerted by spring 502 over the distance D on frame 102by a factor of M, where M is the mechanical advantage provided byblock-and-tackle assembly 600. In exchange for a reduction in force, theforce exerted by spring 502 over the distance D can contribute to upwardvertical movement of frame 102 over a distance M×D.

The mechanical advantage M provided by block-and-tackle assembly 600 candepend on the configuration of and number of pulleys in the sets ofpulleys 616, 626, and the manner in which line 630 is threaded throughpulleys 616, 626. In the example illustrated, the set of pulleys 616includes 5 pulleys, the set of pulleys 626 includes 5 pulleys, and line630 is threaded through each pulley of pulleys 616, 626 such that 10line segments extend between fixed block 610 and movable block 620, asshown in FIG. 5. In such a configuration, the mechanical advantage Mprovided by block-and-tackle assembly 600 is 10. In other examples, adifferent number of pulleys can be provided in one or both of the setsof pulleys 616, 626, and the mechanical advantage M may be greater orless than 10.

As mentioned above, locking mechanism 700 can operate to prevent frame102 from moving vertically by securely clamping line 320. When a userwishes to raise or lower frame 102, the user can operate paddle 122 tounclamp line 320. However, if the upward force exerted by spring 502 onframe 102 is substantially greater or less than the downward forceexerted by frame 102 and work surface 101, unclamping line 320 mayresult in a sudden upward or downward movement of frame 102.Accordingly, locking mechanism 700 can be configured to unclamp line 320only if appropriate load conditions are present, such as when the upwardforce exerted by spring 502 on frame 102 is substantially equal to thedownward force exerted by frame 102 and work surface 101.

If the load conditions are not appropriate, clamping mechanism 710 candisengage from mechanical actuator 730, such that clamping members 712will remain in the locked configuration despite a user operating paddle122. In this case, if the user wishes to raise or lower frame 102, theuser can manipulate crank 418 to increase or decrease the load appliedto spring 502 to ensure appropriate load conditions are present. Ifappropriate load conditions are present, mechanical actuator 730 becomesoperable to manipulate clamping mechanism 710 to bring clamping members712 into the unlocked configuration, and the user can operate paddle 122to unclamp line 320. The upward forces exerted by spring 502 on frame102 can then assist the user in lifting frame 102 relative to lower legs106 a, 106 b.

The embodiments described above may provide a number of advantages.Specifically, the described embodiments may provide an improved counterbalance to the work surface load by providing a smoother load curve thatoperates over a greater range of movement of the frame. In addition,housing the components of the counter-balance mechanism in a verticallymovable frame may provide a more pleasing aesthetic appearance andadditional leg space over prior art designs that house components in afixed cross-beam.

While the present invention as herein shown and described in detail isfully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention,it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment ofthe present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matterwhich is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scopeof the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which maybecome obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of thepresent invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than theappended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, butrather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to theelements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known orlater come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for adevice or method to address each and every problem sought to be solvedby the present invention, for it is to be encompassed by the presentclaims.

1. A height-adjustable table comprising: a) a work surface; b) avertically movable frame adapted to support the work surface, the framecomprising: i) a cross-member; ii) a first upper leg and a second upperleg connected to the cross-member, the upper legs being spaced apart andextending downwardly from the cross-member, wherein the frame defines apassage, the passage extending through the first upper leg, the crossmember, and the second upper leg; c) a first lower leg and a secondlower leg, wherein the first upper leg telescopes within the first lowerleg, and the second upper leg telescopes within the second lower leg; d)a pulley mechanism comprising: i) a first plurality of pulleys locatedin the passage; and ii) a first tension line and a second tension linepassing through the first plurality of pulleys, the first line beingadapted for vertically moving the first upper leg within the first lowerleg and the second line being adapted for vertically moving the secondupper leg within the second lower leg; e) a spring located in thepassage and having a fixed end connected to the frame and a movable endadapted to move a first distance relative to the fixed end, wherein thespring is adapted to exert an upward force on the frame over the firstdistance; f) a block-and-tackle assembly located in the passage, theblock-and-tackle assembly comprising: i) a fixed block having a secondplurality of pulleys and being connected to the frame, ii) a movableblock having a third plurality of pulleys and being connected to themovable end of the spring such that a displacement of the movable end ofthe spring relative to its fixed end results in a displacement of themovable block relative to the fixed block, iii) a third tension linethreaded between the second and third plurality of pulleys and securedat one end to one of the fixed block and the movable block and atanother end to the first line, wherein the block-and-tackle assembly isadapted to cooperate with the pulley mechanism to transfer the upwardforce exerted by the spring over the first distance to the frame,wherein the force exerted by the spring over the first distancecontributes to upward vertical movement of the frame over a seconddistance, the second distance being greater than the first distance. 2.The height-adjustable table of claim 1, wherein: the first line issecured at one end to a top of the first lower leg, extends around abottom of the first upper leg into and through the passage, and issecured at the other end to the second lower leg; and the second line issecured at one end to a top of the second lower leg, extends around abottom of the second upper leg into and through the passage, and issecured at the other end to the first lower leg.
 3. Theheight-adjustable table of claim 2, wherein: the first line comprises afirst portion coupled to a second portion through a coupling member, thefirst portion extending from the one end of the first line secured tothe top of the first lower leg to the coupling member and the secondportion extending from the coupling member to the other end of the firstline secured to the second lower leg; and the third line is secured tothe first line through the coupling member.
 4. The height-adjustabletable of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the first line is a belt,the second portion of the first line is a cable, the second line is abelt, and the third line is a cable.
 5. The height-adjustable table ofclaim 1, wherein the third line is threaded between each pulley of thesecond and third plurality of pulleys such that a displacement of themovable block by a distance D relative to the fixed block results in theother end of the third line being displaced by a distance of at leastM×D relative to the frame, wherein M is the mechanical advantageprovided by the block-and-tackle assembly.
 6. The height-adjustabletable of claim 5, wherein the second plurality of pulleys comprises 5pulleys, the third plurality of pulleys comprises 5 pulleys, and themechanical advantage is at least
 10. 7. The height-adjustable table ofclaim 1, wherein the fixed end of the spring is connected to the framethrough a load adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust the force exertedby the spring over the first distance by displacing the fixed end of thespring relative to its movable end.
 8. The height-adjustable table ofclaim 7, wherein the load adjustment mechanism comprises a lead screwrotatably coupled at one end to the fixed end of the spring and at theother end to a bevel gear system connected to the frame, the loadadjustment mechanism being adapted to rotate the lead screw to displacethe fixed end of the spring relative to its movable end along the lengthof the lead screw in response to a rotation of a bevel gear of the bevelgear system.
 9. The height-adjustable table of claim 1 furthercomprising a locking mechanism located in the passage and connected tothe frame, the locking mechanism adapted to prevent the upward verticalmovement of the frame by securely clamping at least one of the firstline and the second line.
 10. The height-adjustable table of claim 9,wherein the locking mechanism comprises an actuator and is adapted tounclamp the at least one of the first line and the second line when theactuator is moved into an unlocked position and the upward force exertedby the spring on the frame is substantially equal to a downward forceexerted by the frame and the work surface.
 11. An apparatus for aheight-adjustable table, the apparatus comprising: a) a frame forsupporting a work surface, wherein the frame defines a passage therein;b) a pair of spaced apart lower legs supporting the frame; c) a pulleymechanism coupling the frame and the pair of lower legs for verticallymoving the frame relative to the pair of lower legs; d) a spring locatedwithin the passage, the spring having a fixed end secured to the frameand a movable end movable relative to the frame over a first distancefor exerting a force over the first distance; e) a block-and-tackleassembly located within the passage, the block-and-tackle assemblycoupling the movable end of the spring to the pulley mechanism, whereinthe block-and-tackle assembly is adapted to transfer the force exertedby the spring over the first distance to vertical movement of the framerelative to the pair of lower legs over a second distance, wherein thesecond distance is greater than the first distance.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the pulley mechanism comprises a plurality of pulleyslocated within the passage and a plurality of tension lines passingthrough the pulleys and coupling the frame and the lower legs forvertically moving the frame relative to the lower legs.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the frame includes a cross-member and apair of upper legs extending downwardly from cross-member into the pairof lower legs, wherein the passage extends through the cross-member andthe pair of upper legs.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein theblock-and-tackle is located within a portion of the passage in thecross-member.
 15. The apparatus table of claim 11 wherein the seconddistance is at least 10 times the first distance.
 16. The apparatustable of claim 11, wherein the fixed end of the spring is secured to theframe through a load adjustment mechanism for adjusting the forceexerted by the spring over the first distance.